Photosensitive drum and vibration reduction method for same, and photosensitive drum unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a photosensitive drum that is provided with a structure that can decrease noise-causing vibrations without being accompanied by the addition of new parts. The photosensitive drum ( 2 ) is provided with a tube-shaped conductive base ( 11 ) on the surface of which a photosensitive layer ( 12 ) is formed, and flanges ( 13 ) attached to both ends of the conductive base ( 11 ) by being inserted into said both ends. The end sections ( 13 a ) of the flanges ( 13 ) in the tube-length direction (Z) of the conductive base ( 11 ) contact the inner surface ( 11 a ) of the conductive base ( 11 ) within an electrically-charged region (Le) of the photosensitive layer ( 12 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A photosensitive drum unit, comprising:
 a photosensitive drum having a tube-shaped conductive base with a surface on which a photosensitive layer is formed, and a flange inserted from an end of said conductive base and attached to the end; and 
 an electrifier for electrically charging the photosensitive layer, wherein 
 the flange is in contact with an inner surface of the conductive base within a contact region between the photosensitive layer formed on the surface of the conductive base and said electrifier. 
 
     
     
       2. A method for reducing vibrations of a photosensitive drum comprising a tube-shaped conductive base having a surface on which a photosensitive layer is formed, and a flange attached to an end of the conductive base, wherein the method comprises:
 inserting the flange from the end of the conductive base, and 
 bringing the flange into contact with an inner surface of the conductive base within an electrically-charged region of the conductive base to thereby reduce a forced vibration of the conductive base resulting from an exciting force associated with electrical charging, wherein the flange is brought into contact with the inner surface of the conductive base within the contact region between the photosensitive layer formed on the surface of the conductive base and an electrifier for electrically charging the photosensitive layer.